How Riley Montana Rose to the Top of the Modeling World

From fast-food employee to Givenchy campaign girl.

Few models book a major ad campaign before taking their first steps at New York Fashion Week, but such is the success story of Riley Montana, the Detroit native by way of Los Angeles. Before she walked her first runway during the Fall 2014 shows, she had already shot the Spring 2014 runway campaign for Givenchy. Designer Riccardo Tisci has been known to launch careers, as he did for Lara Stone, Joan Smalls and now Riley Montana. The model who went from working multiple jobs at Popeyes, Claire's and RadioShack, found herself an over-night success story following the impressive campaign, and went on to do major editorials styled by Carine Roitfeld, including Bazaar's May 2014 beauty issue. We chatted with the model about her quick rise to the top.

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How did you get discovered?

Well, I actually moved from Detroit, Michigan to California about two years ago to pursue modeling, but when I first got there I didn't really go for it because I needed money. So, I was working jobs; I worked at Claire's, RadioShack, Sprint, like every day, all day, and finally I was like, "ok this is not working. You're not going for your dreams." Then finally I went to see all the agencies in Los Angeles and I ended up going with L.A. Models and basically tested there for about 6 months but it wasn't really my market there—they want a much more commercial look. Then I realized I just want to go to New York because everybody I worked with was like, "why are you here? you should just go to New York." My agency totally supported my decision and helped connect me with New York agencies. So, I ended up at New York Models because the energy was so great when I came here. They wanted what I wanted.

How would you describe your personal style?

My style is really chill. I throw on skinny jeans, a tank and I'll just be on my way. I'm trying different things now that I'm more immersed in the fashion world. I'm being exposed to a lot of different things that I never saw before.

What clothing or accessory would you never part with?

I would never part with my Maison Martin Margiela boots. They're so comfortable and I can wear them with anything.

If you could only wear one designer for the rest of your life, who would it be?

Do you have any beauty secrets?

Honestly, I just keep my face clean and moisturized, that's the best beauty regimen. At photoshoots I always have so many different products on my face, and I've seen a difference, I break out here and there. So, when I'm not shooting, I always just keep my face clean.

What was going through your head when you first found out that you got the Givenchy Spring 2014 campaign?

Honestly, I thought it was a joke, but it wasn't, my agent was like, "You need to go shoot it in a few days." It's still surreal. It's like a blessing for Riccardo [Tisci] to have picked me. I was so moved by him taking a chance on me, being a new face. I thank him to this day for giving me the opportunity.

Had you met him before you got cast?

I never met him. I had just signed with the agency a week before I went to shoot the campaign. My agency was submitting me for amazing projects, ones that I couldn't have even imaged. When starting out you think, "Okay I'm going to New York, and hopefully someone wants to sign me and then I'll do smaller things and build up momentum."

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to listen to music. Now that its getting warmer in New York I can actually just walk around and take it all in.

What kind of music are you into?

It depends on what mood I'm in. I listen to everything. I love Beyoncé, Rihanna, Frank Ocean. I just love any music that gets me in a good mellow mood. I have so many playlists—if you saw all my music you'd think it was very random. I have my playlist for photo shoots, a morning playlist, and another for when I'm getting ready for church.

What does your family think about your success?

They're so happy because we've all had hard lives, so just seeing me overcome it all and go after my dreams really inspires them and that's what I wanted to do. My brothers and my sisters have dreams and now that they've seen me achieving mine, they know that it's obtainable, they can do whatever they want to do. That's the thing that makes me most happy.